Industry Leaders, Executives to Highlight Biobased Plastics and Chemicals at World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Wednesday, May 27, 2009) - Biobased chemicals and plastics can further reduce U.S. reliance on petroleum and contribute to the profitability of an advanced biofuels industry. The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) announced today that more than 22 CEOs of biobased product, biofuel and industrial biotechnology companies will present their companies’ technology and business plans at the 2009 World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing, to be held July 19-22, 2009 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Brent Erickson, executive vice president of BIO’s Industrial and Environmental Section, said, “The growth and development of clean-tech and green product companies offer opportunities for sustainable industrial production, new green jobs, and future economic growth. Executives from companies on the cutting-edge of the industry will meet in July at BIO’s World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing to share perspectives on the technology’s readiness for commercialization. The World Congress has grown into the premier event for leaders from the biotechnology and bioprocessing industries, academia, and science community.”

BIO represents more than 1,200 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world.